• Trails

• • Sprague Lake
    • The path around lake is wheelchair accessible.
    • There are places to sit along path.
      
    • Sprague Lake is the site of the only handicapped accessible backcountry camping site in the park.
      
    • It formerly had "5 Senses" markers and is still a good walk for smelling/listening/feeling, etc.
    • Full service toilets are available in summer.
      
  • Coyote Valley Trail
    • The trail is a wheelchair accessible path.
      
    • There are benches along the path with views of the river and the valley.
    • A picnic area is available.
      
    • The bridge across Colorado River is only a short distance from trailhead.
  • Lily Lake
    • The lake is visible from road.
    • The path around the lake is relatively flat
      
    • You may have some trouble getting from car to path because of the gravel parking lot.
      
  • Bear Lake
    • Portions of trail nearest parking have a low enough grade to be handicapped accessible.
    • There is a sign as you approach the lake with accessiblity information.
      
  • Beaver Boardwalk
    • This is a short boardwalk to an overlook of beaver ponds.
  • Wild Basic to Copeland Falls - this is not handicapped accessible. However, it is an excellent choice for the vision impaired or those who can walk short distances with little altitude gain.
    • The trail follows the river.
    • There is a series of waterfalls and cascades along the trail.
      
  • Colorado River Trail - this is also not handicapped accessible.
    
    • There is little altitude gain in the early sections.
    • The trail follows the Colorado River.
      

• Activities
  • Picnic
    • Sprague Lake - see Trails above.
      
    • Hidden Valley has both a picnic shelter and open air tables accessible from an easily traveled walkway.  A full service, accessible indoor toilet is also available.
    • Endovalley Picnic area at the end of the paved portion of Fall River Road is handicapped accessible with vault toilets.
    • Lake Irene has 3 accessible picnic tables and accessible vault toilets.
      
    • Coyote Valley Trail - see Trails above.  There are accessible vault toilets.
  • Fishing - be sure you get a proper permit.
    
    • Sprague Lake
    • Lily Lake
  • Moraine Park Museum (check hours) - the second floor is accessible using wheelchair lift operated by the staff.
  • Grand Lake - drive through the main town area and turn right for views of the lake itself.
    
  • Elk bugling and the aspenfoliage in the fall offer delights for all the senses.

• Visitors Centers
  • Fall River Visitors Center - fully accessible with a gift shop; full service, accessible toilets are available next door in the commercial gift shop, as well as a restaurant.
  • Beaver Meadows Visitors Center - full service, accessible toilets ae available in the building next to visitors center; the center itself is moderately accessible.
  • Alpine Visitors Center - full service, accessible toilets are available in the center when open, accessible vault toilets are available across the parking lot when the center is closed; the gift shop not very accessible.
  • Kawuneeche Visitors Center - full service, accessible toilets are available in building next to visitors center, which is accessible.

• Shopping
  • Your best bet is to drive around and check out what shops you may be interested in, then call and ask about accessibility.
  • Parking in the downtown area is plentiful, but you may not be able to find a lot close to a particular store.
  • Shops in Stanley Village, including Safeway, may be more accessible than others.
  • Look for "stand alone" stores that have their own parking lot.
  • One recommended store is Images of RMNP, located behind Bond Park.

For further information, be sure to listen to the RMNPodcast available on this subject.  An information sheet regarding Accessibility in Rocky Mountain National Park is availavle from the National Parks Service at http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/access_brochure-2.pdf.

Lightweight hiking is getting more popular each year. Light backpackers cover more miles and enjoy more for obvious reasons. Lighter and multifunctional equipment makes ultralight backpacking so much more easier to do today than ever before.

1. What backpacking equipment do you currently have?
Write down what you have and the corresponding weight. You need to weigh your gear to find the actual weight. You may find that the actual weight is not the same as what the manufacturer states. This will help you calculate the weight cost of your gear selection.

2. Take everything that you need and no more
Luxuries are allowed but don't carry unnecessary stuff that you will never use especially when they are not related to safety. Luxuries like books, binoculars, camp chairs, camping mats are common among backpackers. Use lighter alternatives if you can or go without them.

3. Plan your gear according to the weather and season
A really warm down sleeping bag is not suitable in summer. Your other backpacking gear should be right for the season as well.

4. Buy lightweight equipment
If you can find lighter alternatives, replace your heavier gear. Put priority in finding lighter alternatives for your sleeping bag, backpack and tent. When choosing an ultralight backpack, make sure it can handle the whole weight of your gear.

5. Find items that have multiple uses.
Your overall gear should be able to work together. Multi-functional gear and the ability to recognize the synergistic relationships between your gear is one of the key skills to reduce your pack weight. One common approach is to use a poncho as both raingear and shelter.

6. Use down.
For the same amount of warmth, down is far lighter than the best synthetics. However, one big disadvantage with down is that they lose their insulation when wet so you need to be careful. Replacing your synthetic sleeping bag with a down alternative can save you as much as two-and-a-half pounds.

7. Use a windbreaker
A lot of good windbreakers or wind shirts weigh as little as 3 ounces. Windbreakers give you tremendous comfort and warmth and allows you to wear lighter base layers. This bottom line is that a windbreaker extends the comfort range of your clothing system.

8. Sharing your camping gear
Hiking a group allows you to share your camping gear within the group. If you're creative enough there are many things you can share to keep the pack weight low.

9. Develop your outdoor skills
If you have good outdoor skills you can get by easily with minimal camping gear. Acquiring outdoor skills can help you to comfortably reduce the weight of your safety kit, food, clothing and other gear. There are backpacking clinics and survival programs that can help you.

10. Measure out portions of all consumables
Travel-sized soap, toothpaste, etc are lighter than standard sizes. Try to minimize packaging and pack spices in small miniature bags.

Reducing Your Pack Weight in Stages

Gradually reduce your pack weight over a number of hikes rather than in one go. Find out on a hiking trip which gear you can live without. Going light is more of a process than a one-time task.